relion prime accuracy?

[TresGatos]

I was wondering if it is normal for relion prime to have very different numbers from the same test site? Example, I tested this morning and it was 318 and on a whim I grabbed another strip and tested the same spot (still bleeding) and it was up to 336. Is that kind of variance normal?

Our vet is just really concerned about the accuracy of our meter, that was her main objection to home testing. Next week she wants me to bring Silver in for a spot check and asked me to bring our meter so that we can compare numbers.

Also, she said not to worry about BG being too low unless it is below 100. She told us a little high is better than too low and said that because the lantus is cumulative and it could take some time to build up in his system. But is it normal that he hasn't been below 300 at all? He is only on 1/2 unit twice a day. Today was by far our lowest preshot BG reading in the morning. Tuesday was 528 and yesterday was 459. So maybe today he might get below 300 midday? I am not doing a curve today but I figured I would test at +3 and +6 and maybe +9 if the numbers are far apart from +3 to +6.

I guess my main question is how to make sure I am getting the most accurate readings. I want to make sure we are on top of these numbers in case he starts to drop lower today.

Oh, and I can tell he is feeling better because he is starting to protest getting his BG tested and today he did NOT like being held still to get his shot.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

The accuracy of the meters is only +/- 20%. 318 and 336 are the same for all practical purposes.

 

[Deb & Wink]

and said that because the lantus is cumulative and it could take some time to build up in his system. But is it normal that he hasn't been below 300 at all?

Lantus is a depot insulin. It can take 5-7n days to build up the depot/shed before the insulin starts to have it's full effect. Think of the insulin depot as a storage area for future use.

How long has your cat been receiving insulin? Then I can give you a better answer on the >300 number.

Next week she wants me to bring Silver in for a spot check and asked me to bring our meter so that we can compare numbers.

When you do this, make sure you are testing on the exact same blood drop. The vet specific metes versus the human specific meters differ by 30-40%.

 

[KPassa]

Our vet is just really concerned about the accuracy of our meter, that was her main objection to home testing. Next week she wants me to bring Silver in for a spot check and asked me to bring our meter so that we can compare numbers.
...
I guess my main question is how to make sure I am getting the most accurate readings. I want to make sure we are on top of these numbers in case he starts to drop lower today.

You can drive yourself insane trying to compare meters and calculating meter variance. The higher the numbers are, however, the seemingly larger difference between numbers (due to the +/-20% variance). The only meters you want to stay away from are the "Free" and "True" meters as these have been noted to give inaccurate numbers significantly lower than they really are, making people believe their cats are well-regulated when they're not.

What it boils down to is that anything over 300, you're going to have some more noticeable differences, but anything over 300 is too high anyway and you don't really change your actions whether it's 350 or 650. Human meters are just as accurate as pet meters; for lower numbers, it's easiest to just add ~30 points to the number you get with the human meter and that's what you might see with a pet meter. For example, on a human meter, you might get a 50 whereas you would see an 80 on the pet meter.

 

[BJM]

Sample Graph and Data for the +/- 20% here

Page 1 is the graph. find your test value along the bottom. Go straight up. Where you intersect the 2 lines, go straight left. These are the approximate value ranges for the test.
Page 2 is sample data with a test value, the + and - 20%, plus the width of the possible real value.

 

[Wendy&Tiggy(GA)]

Doesnt do any harm to take your meter in.. remember though many meters vary at higher BG than lower ones so do a test on Silver and then another on you ( if you arent stressed) or the vet to get a lower number to compare.

Also as regards the high BG, its both a factor of the depot effect but also the food - Silver is still on dry right or is it just Friskies pates now?

But it would also be a good idea to start tracking him on a spreadsheet so you (and we) can track trends and so on.. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207

Wendy